Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-11-01

In all communities there are men who
pay but small attention 10 political matters.
They seem TO have no idea that duty calls
upon them to take an active interest in
such affairs. They appear to think il is
Just ~ we'll for them aud the public if they
take no part In the caucuscs or conventions
Of their party or fail to vote at the
customary elections. Many will not take
or read u political paper or aid in any way
In political movements They clnmor
about political corruption, about the dis
honesty and chicancry Of political leaders,
hold up the primaries "a places unfit for
honest men to visit, and denounce every
body who takes nm active interest In bring
ing out a full vote at the polls on election
day.
This class Of men may be found in every
community, large and small. Many of
them are men of property and education,
good citizens so called, though they may
neglect the first and most important
duty that citizenship requires of them
Others fear that II they enter actively in
to politics they may make enemies, iniure
their business or be thrown ont of employ
ment In consequence.
The effect of this abstentlon from the
exercise of political rights aud the per
Torrance of political dutios Is 10 operate
disastrously wherever it occurs to any
extent. II aids to bring on and per
petuate aud make formidable the very
evils Of which II complains. Take the
case of the city of Baltimore. where the
recent election and most elections for many
years have been under the control of the
mob, where repeating knows no limit
where men vote in other mems
names, dead and living; where the
slung shot and pistol bar the way to
the hallot-box; aud where fraud
ulent count OF the votes cast at
the polls finishes the violent and yillainous
work which perhaps may not have been
completed at the voting place. How came
this state of things to exist IN the beautiful
city of Baltimore, with its wealth and
learning, its splendid monuments and pub
lie buildings.
IL complete Investigation of all the
facts which led up to this shameful condi-
tion of the politics of the city were made.
IL would be found that among the causes
was the neglect of respectable citizens to
attend the caacuses and conventions. the
ward meetings and primaries of their par
ties. IL that class of citizens had been
active in the discharge of their political
duties years ago and SO down along to the
present time, rs they should have been, no
such seoandrelism and rutlianism as ruled
the city in the late election could have exist
ed But decent men attended to business or
remained quietly at home because they did
not desire TO mingle with the crowd of
people at the caucus rooms or polling
plaees,and the rutiianly element were left in
fuli command and controlled the
politics of the city In their own way. OF
course when thieves, murderers and gam
biers control the elections, there will be
such scenes at the polls as were witnessed
at Baltimore, and the men elected will be of
the same type of character AS those To
whom they owe their offices. What is true
Of Baltimore is true Of New York and
nearly every large city in the country and
many of the small ones.
The condition of affairs in such cities AS
we have mentioned is deplorable. Cour-
age Is required on the part of honest men
to face 1t and bring about the needed
change.
When the great evil first commenced a
small effort ON the part Of good citizens
would have ended it. but since it has ar
rived at gigantic size aud defies and over
rides law and makes ratlisnism and fraut
Its rule and guide, 1t is y very different
thing and requires different treatment.
In our form Of government every citixe,
has duty to perform. He may think /
Is Of no consequence IL he does not cas-
his vote at election or attend caucuses
but his thinking so does not relieve hi,
Of responsibility. or prevent the trouble
and disasters sure to follow such eours
Of conduct If considerable part of
community practice il. IL stay-at-home
would seriously consider the effect of the
conduct-which no doubt seems entirel
right aci<proper to them when supel
1 ed-they could effect revol,
tics that would be salutar